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| The extreme stamp collecting of first day covers | The extreme stamp collecting of first day covers |
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| Stamps celebrating the 50 years of Doctor Who are the latest in a series of special anniversary stamps. For some, the ultimate must-have is the first day cover. But who collects them? | Stamps celebrating the 50 years of Doctor Who are the latest in a series of special anniversary stamps. For some, the ultimate must-have is the first day cover. But who collects them? |
| Not everyone would equate stamp collecting with excitement. But today's Royal Mail special stamp issue is eagerly awaited in some quarters. | Not everyone would equate stamp collecting with excitement. But today's Royal Mail special stamp issue is eagerly awaited in some quarters. |
| The company says pre-registration numbers for the set of 11 first class stamps - which feature actors who have played the role of Time Lord - were more than three times higher than usual. | The company says pre-registration numbers for the set of 11 first class stamps - which feature actors who have played the role of Time Lord - were more than three times higher than usual. |
| For the dedicated fans, there is also a miniature sheet, a presentation pack and special postmarks on offer. | For the dedicated fans, there is also a miniature sheet, a presentation pack and special postmarks on offer. |
| The stamps are the latest in a line celebrating particular events. So far this year, there have been stamps commemorating the 150th anniversary of the London Tube and 200 years since the publication of Pride and Prejudice. | The stamps are the latest in a line celebrating particular events. So far this year, there have been stamps commemorating the 150th anniversary of the London Tube and 200 years since the publication of Pride and Prejudice. |
| Last summer, Royal Mail rushed out stamps of all gold medal winners from Team GB and Paralympics GB, within 24 hours of each athlete's victory. | Last summer, Royal Mail rushed out stamps of all gold medal winners from Team GB and Paralympics GB, within 24 hours of each athlete's victory. |
| And there were stamps for the Royal Wedding, Dickens' bicentenary, and themes such as animals or space exploration. | And there were stamps for the Royal Wedding, Dickens' bicentenary, and themes such as animals or space exploration. |
| In recent years, it has been reported that children are losing interest in stamps. | In recent years, it has been reported that children are losing interest in stamps. |
| For "commercial reasons" Royal Mail says it does not release sales figures, and it is hard to know exact numbers, or what age group is buying them. | |
| But it says more than 50,000 Doctor Who packs, or first day covers are likely to be sold. | But it says more than 50,000 Doctor Who packs, or first day covers are likely to be sold. |
| So how do first day covers work, and who is buying them? | So how do first day covers work, and who is buying them? |
| Anniversary stamps tend to have two target markets - fans of the subject, in this case Doctor Who, and stamp collectors. | Anniversary stamps tend to have two target markets - fans of the subject, in this case Doctor Who, and stamp collectors. |
| Different formats are available. As well as the 11 stamps of the Doctor, there is a "miniature sheet" featuring a first class Tardis stamp and four second class monsters. A presentation pack designed to appeal to fans of the TV show features all 11 of the Doctor, the miniature sheet, and text relating the show's history. | Different formats are available. As well as the 11 stamps of the Doctor, there is a "miniature sheet" featuring a first class Tardis stamp and four second class monsters. A presentation pack designed to appeal to fans of the TV show features all 11 of the Doctor, the miniature sheet, and text relating the show's history. |
| But hardcore philatelists - literally stamp studiers - are not interested in the presentation packs. For them it is all about the first day covers. | But hardcore philatelists - literally stamp studiers - are not interested in the presentation packs. For them it is all about the first day covers. |
| To the uninitiated it may appear a strange obsession. | To the uninitiated it may appear a strange obsession. |
| It is the collection of special stamps on the day of their issue displayed on a special envelope, known as a "cover". | It is the collection of special stamps on the day of their issue displayed on a special envelope, known as a "cover". |
| First day cover fans must make sure they buy them on the day. They stick them onto a special envelope and write the address they want it posted to. It can be just one stamp or the entire series. | First day cover fans must make sure they buy them on the day. They stick them onto a special envelope and write the address they want it posted to. It can be just one stamp or the entire series. |
| Crucially, the envelope needs to bear a special postmark that is only available on the day. For the Doctor Who launch, Royal Mail is offering special postmarks in the hometowns of the 11 Doctor Who actors. | Crucially, the envelope needs to bear a special postmark that is only available on the day. For the Doctor Who launch, Royal Mail is offering special postmarks in the hometowns of the 11 Doctor Who actors. |
| Once the handstamp has been applied, the letter can be posted to the person. Arriving in the post at the collector's house guarantees authenticity. | Once the handstamp has been applied, the letter can be posted to the person. Arriving in the post at the collector's house guarantees authenticity. |
| "It's the combination of stamp, envelope and postmark. You need the whole set - the satisfaction is having that particular postmark on that particular day," says Ian Balcombe, honorary secretary of the Association of Great Britain First Day Cover Collectors. | "It's the combination of stamp, envelope and postmark. You need the whole set - the satisfaction is having that particular postmark on that particular day," says Ian Balcombe, honorary secretary of the Association of Great Britain First Day Cover Collectors. |
| There are five Royal Mail handstamp centres around the UK but fans who cannot reach one of these centres may pre-order their stamps in advance, sending detailed instructions to the handstamping centres about how they want their cover postmarked. | There are five Royal Mail handstamp centres around the UK but fans who cannot reach one of these centres may pre-order their stamps in advance, sending detailed instructions to the handstamping centres about how they want their cover postmarked. |
| "Some people will send us envelopes and specify how many millimetres from the corner they want the postmark," says Natasha Ayrvor, PR manager for Royal Mail's special stamps programme. "There's a real hardcore group of collectors out there." | "Some people will send us envelopes and specify how many millimetres from the corner they want the postmark," says Natasha Ayrvor, PR manager for Royal Mail's special stamps programme. "There's a real hardcore group of collectors out there." |
| Of course, there are different types of stamp collectors. Some specialise in very rare old stamps. Others, like the first day cover fans, specialise in mass issues. | Of course, there are different types of stamp collectors. Some specialise in very rare old stamps. Others, like the first day cover fans, specialise in mass issues. |
| Completism is a vital part of stamp collecting, according to Wayne Elliott, shop manager at Stanley Gibbons, the world's oldest stamp dealer. | Completism is a vital part of stamp collecting, according to Wayne Elliott, shop manager at Stanley Gibbons, the world's oldest stamp dealer. |
| "Someone interested in it will feel they need to buy everything," he says. | "Someone interested in it will feel they need to buy everything," he says. |
| Philip Parker, head of stamp strategy at Royal Mail, says most purchasers are adults, but many adults buy them for children | Philip Parker, head of stamp strategy at Royal Mail, says most purchasers are adults, but many adults buy them for children |
| "You also find that younger people buy stamps and then give them to their grandparents, especially if they celebrate something like the WWII," he says. | "You also find that younger people buy stamps and then give them to their grandparents, especially if they celebrate something like the WWII," he says. |
| "For me, it's about celebrating the best of Britain." | "For me, it's about celebrating the best of Britain." |
| You can follow the Magazine on Twitter and on Facebook | You can follow the Magazine on Twitter and on Facebook |